MEDIA STATEMENT by Pem Bird, President Maori Party

Maori Parliament was right under Hone’s nose

Hone Harawira’s ambition for a Maori Parliament is more than a tad ironic. He had the Maori Parliament right under his very nose all the time. In fact he was a part of it, the Maori Party.

In order for a Maori Parliament to be a Maori Parliament it must be imbued with an authentic Maori word view that is grounded in an appropriate philosophy, a set of kaupapa, with of course Te Tiriti o Waitangi underpinning all and driving a way of doing politics that is undeniably and unapologetically, Maori in wairua and practice.

To attempt to manufacture a Maori Parliament from a diverse group of Maori on the basis that they are Maori is just wayward and naively simplistic thinking. Members of Parliament including Maori subscribe to a broad spectrum of diverse party philosophies, ideologies and perspectives which is why they are there in the first place. Hones call shows an unfortunate lack of understanding, appreciation and respect for his fellow Maori Members of Parliament and their respective parties. What you’ll have is a Mamaanatlabactgreprog parliament, acronym for a shambolic disaster!

Despite our failings and foibles real, imagined, perceived or otherwise individual and collective what cannot be denied is our unshakeable belief in ourselves as Maori, doing our very best as Maori for Maori with our own solutions that track back to our people. And in the knowledge that our advancement will only ever be possible through whanaungatanga, (relationships that are authentic in openness, honesty and above all trust) and Manaakitanga (generosity of spirit of mind, of deed), that is mana enhancing with those of whatever political persuasion who want us to be at the table with them because of who we are, what we stand for because we get the business done and crucially for what we have to offer.

The Maori Party was it when Hone was around, it is so now when he is no longer around and it will still be so when we are all no longer around.

Pem Bird
President Maori Party

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